Houston Texas! I came out with cowboy boots on and a rope in my hands. Just kidding! Actually, the typical “Texan” stereotype is not so accurate. Not everyone has boots and a cowboy hat. : ) But I will say this, I think there are more pickup trucks in Texas than there are in the whole world combined!!! Texans love their trucks!

What are some important childhood events?

Family. I was very loved by both of my parents and I am so grateful to have grown up in that kind of environment. I was protected, provided for and nurtured. And as an adult, I can see the fruit of all of this in my life.

Playing. My brother and I played outside all the time! I also used to play outside alone. I would sometimes go and have a picnic alone in our chicken coop with the chickens! : )

Responsibilities. I did many chores around the house and outside of the house and I also working at my parents restaurant.

Travel. My family went on summer vacations most every year. It really helps you see the world with a much broader view, especially travelling to other countries. My travels to Greece at 3 and 5 affected me in a very deep way, in ways that I would not come to understand until I was in my latter 20's.

Spirituality. I was raised with a great spiritual awareness, with far more emphasis on spiritual things than earthly things. Faith hope and love were at the foundation of my upbringing and are the solid ground I stand on today.

What are some interesting facts about your life?

MUSIC

In September of 1989 at the age of fourteen, in a single afternoon everything changed! I was at a friend’s house and he was playing a popular love song on his keyboard, I asked if he could teach it to me. Within a couple of minutes I had it down and in that moment something unexplainable happened inside the depths of me – I immediately said "I can play! I can play!! I can play the piano!!!" From then on, I began practicing six and eight hours a day! All I wanted to do was play the keyboard! If I couldn't play at least 6 hours a day then I would become very sad. When I was headed somewhere with my family, I would take my little keyboard and sit in the back of the car and practice, practice, practice…all day and into the late hours of the night I would practice! It was all I wanted – my passion, my love, my desire, my future! I didn't care so much about girls or dating or parties or most of the things that my peers were into, everything other than music just seemed like a distraction. As the years went by, I began to sing and then singing became as important to me as playing the keyboard. Eventually I tapped deeper into my gift and began composing full songs. It’s been an amazing journey and I am blessed to be able to share my gift with the world! I give thanks and honor to God for my gift of music.

TRAVEL

I have always loved to travel! I have travelled to Europe much over the last 10 years with a emphasis on Greece. My father is from Greece and in 1998 I decided to get much more in touch with my roots. I am glad I did. It has opened up many more parts of myself and has helped me understand and see things about myself that I did not before. I have also lived on the Hawaiian island of Maui for 2 years and that too did change my life! It's such a magical place, unlike any place I have ever been.

DIET

You are what you eat. Your body is the container of your soul and spirit so be sure to guard it well. Keep it healthy by getting good rest, by exercising and by eating healthy foods. When I was a teenager I said to myself "I will never be overweight!" and I have lived up to my promise. The key is just being conscious every day of what you put into your body. And drinking lots of water.

Can you tell me one thing about yourself that others may not know?

In my lifetime, I want to live in many countries, maybe a dozen or more! I'd like to spend a year or two or three in each one. I love culture. I love seeing how other people think and live and eat and enjoy music and drive and communicate, etc. It helps me see everything with a much more open mind. It helps me think outside of boxes and certain cultural codes. Just when you thought there was only one way to do something, you go to another country and you realize that they do it totally different there. With so many things there is no wrong or right, it's just personal preference.

What inspires your music?

Life!

Most of my songs are written out of experiences in life. It might be the laughter of a child, a friend in need, pleasant or painful memories, dreams, happiness, frustrations. Nature. I took a walk with my dog Magic and by the end of the road I had written a song for him, haha. Traveling, very much so. Being in other places far away stirs things up in me – the sights, the smells, the sounds of another culture and land. Sound inspires me. I will hear something like a car engine cranking up or the horn of a train or the wind blowing through the trees and it will actually inspire a melody or lyric or chord progression in me. Also, just sitting down at my piano inspires me. Most every time I sit to play, something fresh and new comes out. Sometimes it’s a song while other times it’s an idea or a melody that later becomes a song. Lastly, I must say that the hope of my music touching the world inspires me deeply. It is important that we as humans always have hope in our heart for through hope we find inspiration to fulfill our destinies.

What are some important adulthood events?

Having loved someone. It opened up so many parts of me that I had never seen!

Living in other places and spending time in other places that I was not familiar with. It has had immeasurable positive effects on my life.

Becoming friends with people in other countries. It has taught me much about love and patience and has also helped to broaden my perspective in so many ways.

Completing my album titled Love. It was a very long journey but I stayed committed and after 3 years it was finally complete.

Deciding to give my music away for free and then gaining fans around the world as a result of it.

Performing live in another country and having a group of people sing along with me because they knew my songs from the radio. A great feeling!

Owing my own business. It has been lots of hard work and many sleepless nights but it has taught me much about life and has brought a sense of accomplishment that is different than any other I've experienced.

What obstacles did you have to overcome?

I have overcome fear and doubt a thousand times! I have never let go of my hopes and dreams.

There have been several times when I have cried because things seemed to be too much to bear but after releasing those tears I whipped them from my face and carried on.

I have overcome the obstacle of having little resources (time and money) to accomplish great tasks. The key was persistence, dedication, coming up with creative solutions and having a willingness to sacrifice things I wanted in order to obtain things I needed (what you want and what you need are often times two different things).

I overcame the obstacle of not letting society and systems dictate to me who I am and why I am here. I dedicated years of my life to seeking and searching for those answers and I began to find them. They are inside of each and every one of us.

What is the greatest thing you have ever discovered in your life?

Love. If you have it then it doesn't matter what you don't have, if you don't have it then it doesn’t matter what you do have.

I love your “autobiography” my dear friend, Niko- Odysseas Papasideris!!!!
So you used to play outside in the neighborhood…I used to do that too. Friends and team-games of that period have built me………
Thank you for posting this “document” of your life. It gives a continuity of our friendship..

This was so amazing I loved it and now I feel I really know you without ever seeing you in person. Diet paragraph I am the same way in eating very healthy, lots of water, exercise and made a commitment of not getting fat in my life and I haven’t. You are a blessing Niko!! I love you my friend comming from a christain friend.